Animal cruelty.

Existing law makes it a crime to leave or confine an animal in an unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal. Existing law makes a first conviction for the crime punishable by a fine not exceeding $100, or if the animal suffers great bodily injury, by a fine not exceeding $500, imprisonment in a county jail, or both. Existing law makes a subsequent conviction punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 dollars, imprisonment in a county jail, or both. This bill would increase those fines to $500 for a first offense and $2,000 for a subsequent offense or if the animal suffers great bodily injury. Existing law requires a person who is convicted of specified crimes related to animal abuse who is granted probation to successfully complete counseling. This bill would expand that requirement to require a person convicted of leaving animal in an unattended motor vehicle to complete counseling, an education program on the dangers of leaving an animal inside of an unattended motor vehicle, or both. The bill would make failure to complete the counseling or education program a misdemeanor. By creating a new crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.